Brooke Dolan (1908-1945) papers

Collection

Identifier: ANSP-Coll-0064

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Phillilps and Phillips (1963) stated, "These papers consist of records and documents of the Asiatic Expeditions, correspondence in 1941 showing his various pre-war activities, and papers about his Memorial Meeting at the Academy in December, 1945."

Dates

1931-1935

Creator

Dolan, Brooke, II (1908-August 19, 1945) (Person)

Biographical / Historical

According to Phillips and Phillips (1963), "Sportsman, explorer, naturalist and U. S. Government Intelligence officer, Dolan was a member of [the Academy's] Board of Trustees and of the Library Committee for many years. His first expedition to Asia and Western China occurred in 1931 when he brought back valuable additions to the Academy's collections. His second trip to Tibet and especially to Llasha occupied the years 1934-1936. As a result of this trip 3,000 bird skins and 140 mammals were added to the Academy's collection. During the Second World War when an experienced man was needed by the U. S. Intelligence Office for a confidential mission in Asia, Brooke Dolan was chosen. His death while on duty was reported in August, 1945, his plane having come down in enemy territory. By his will a library of Tibetan books and many of his specimens came to the Academy."

Extent

35 linear_inches (7 document cases)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Dolan left a portion of his belonging's to the Academy in his will, while some of the papers in the collection were given later by his family.

Related Materials

Collection 2010.004, the Exhibits Department Records, contain information regarding dioramas and the specimens collected by Dolan. Collection 2010.051, the President's Office Records, contains further information regarding Dolan's role at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. The Archive's Audio Visual Collection contains a copy of the film "Inside Tibet." The footage for this documentary film was taken by Major Ilya Tolstoy and Captain Brooke Dolan II in 1942-1943 for the Office of Special Services.